Tealight

Varieties

Tealights can come in many different shapes and sizes, small and large, as well as burn times and scents. However, tealights are commonly short and cylindrical, approximately 38 mm in diameter by 16 mm high, with white unscented wax.

A standard tealight has a power output of around 32 watts, depending on the wax used.

When used in larger batches, such as at a party, the two criteria most desired are "least amount of smoke" and being long-lasting.{{cite news |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605072057/https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/great-gear-for-hosting-parties/ |url-status=live

Cup design

The wick is tethered to a piece of metal underneath to stop it from floating to the top of the molten wax and burning out before the wax does.

Tealights have been protected under several patented designs. In some cases, the standard tea light metal cup has been replaced with a clear plastic cup, sometimes made out of polycarbonate plastic. The clear cup allows more light to escape the holder. However, the metal cups are much more common.

Holders

When not placed on a tray, tealights are placed in a special holder, which may be pierced{{cite news |access-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-date=June 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605054437/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/garden/26light.html |url-status=live

From small pockets of glass, metal, ceramic, and other materials to larger, more elaborate tea light lamps, holders come in a wide range of styles, colours, and shapes. They have an appropriately sized cup to use a tealight candle, either scented or unscented. Discount stores, gift stores, and home decor stores often carry an array of holders for these small candles.

Electrical

Electric tealights have become increasingly popular as newer technology becomes available. They can feature incandescent or LED bulbs, the latter becoming the preferred format as LEDs become brighter and more efficient. They can have many different colours to set a mood, match a decor or augment the container's design. Some can simulate a moving flame using mechanical or electronic animations.

Electric tealights are not useful as a source of heat, so they are not suitable for chafing dishes or other food warmers.

Safety

The use of tealights may be prohibited by safety regulations, such as in hospitals.

Electric tealights are much safer than a flame-based tealight, and can be left unattended, as there is no open flame or heat to worry about. This allows them to be placed inside freestanding lace structures, or in candle holders made from paper, wood or other flammable materials. They can also be made much smaller to fit where a large flamed-based tealight cannot.

References

References

1. shorter than an inch to 2” tall and often 1.5” wide
2. (2025-12-29). "Definition of TEA LIGHT".
3. Andy Lillington. (September 2014). "The ooLiTE: Thermoelectric Lighting for Cavers?".